Is there something wrong?

[Chickarama1]

Hi everyone,

One of my hens was sitting on a clutch of eggs and she successfully hatched two but the other five were slightly younger eggs (not due to hatch for a few more days). She sat for another day or so but then gave up, destroyed the nest and abandoned it. One egg in particular was damaged so I took them all inside and chucked them in my incubator. The damaged egg has hatched and I now have a lone chick which, 14 hours after hatching still is struggling to stand - it is really robust and making lots of noise but it is not getting around.It is very noisy and active and taken a little food and water with help. It has pooped but it is sitting on its butt and not getting up on to those legs. I don't know if this will come as it gets a little older - I fear not because surely they need to get moving quickly?
Maybe this situation has been caused by my lack of experience and the hen knew that there was something wrong with it or will it recover? the ideal scenario would be to try to get the latest chick in with the two born earlier so the mum can look after it but I very much doubt that she will accept it. Maybe I should not have let it hatch but I am where I am with it and I want to do my best for them all.

The other eggs are still not hatched but I think three out of the four are alive... any advice please?

 

[The_BirdNerd]

It could be a birth defect causing paralysis in the legs. I’m not sure because I’ve never hatched eggs before, but if it’s making lots of noises and wanting to live maybe set up a mini sling? Just grab an old piece of material or dishcloth, cut two little leg holes and stick it in there. Then just tie the material to some sort of zip line that allows it to use its legs. Encourage it by luring it with food. Not sure if any of that helps but hope it ends well!

 

[Chickarama1]

It could be a birth defect causing paralysis in the legs. I’m not sure because I’ve never hatched eggs before, but if it’s making lots of noises and wanting to live maybe set up a mini sling? Just grab an old piece of material or dishcloth, cut two little leg holes and stick it in there. Then just tie the material to some sort of zip line that allows it to use its legs. Encourage it by luring it with food. Not sure if any of that helps but hope it ends well![/QUOTE

Thank you! It wants to come to my hand (which is mum) and it is full of life but I feel a little responsible - if it is paralysed then it would have been better off not being born and I can't help thinking that this is why the mum hen tried to destroy the egg... I hope that as it gathers strength it might be able to get around - a chance then...
But I am worried about fiddling with tall the time...

 

[Chef JimmyJ]

Give it a week and see what happens. What will be, will be...If the Chicken is disabled, then you must choose to raise it, with assistance, as a house pet or euthanize.
Take look at the story below...JJ

https://www.handicappedpets.com/blog/custom-walkin-wheels-chicken-wheelchair/

 

[casportpony]

Can you post some pictures and a video? To post video, upload to YouTube or Vimeo then copy and paste the link here.

 

[Chickarama1]

Dear all,
Just to let you know that the ickle cutie 'disabled' chicklet that we thought had no chance at all suddenly turned into ninja chick as soon as he (and I reckon he IS a he!!) got himself some mates Here he is standing on his younger duckling siblings - god knows what will happen when they all get older - I just hope he doesn't think he can swim!